We are back here again at our partner community in Arusha after a successful project volunteering in Tanzania last year. But this time, we had a bigger crew! The Mudita team collaborated with Girls Love Travel (GLT), one of the largest global travel communities with active and aspiring female travelers. We had a total of 35
volunteers divided into 2 groups including our Mudita staff and Haley Woods, the founder of GLT. Over the past year, we have fostered a wonderful relationship with Vision for Society Change (Visoc) who works with the local government of Kiranyiward and Siwandetiward. They again welcomed us to the
Ilkiurei primary school which was built under the villager’s manpower and partly donation from government and foreign individual volunteers from the church mission. Currently, the school has a total number of 667 students, where 316 are boys and 351 are girls.

Mudita Adventures and the Girls Love Travel crew teamed up to renovate the whole building with 3 classrooms. We cleaned, we rebuilt, we painted, reviving the soul of Ilkiurei school again. We also added 4 toilets and 2 sinks to the old bathroom block. Upon the last day of the project, our team hosted an opening ceremony with the community leader and local kids with some fun games and the unveiling of our work. The project finished off with smiles, tears, and the strong bonds between our staff and the community. Volunteering in Tanzania wouldn’t be this much fun without the team!

Girls LOVE Travel crew

HOW YOUR DONATION BENEFITED THE COMMUNITY

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:

NAIROBI

Welcome to the capital and largest city of Kenya, Nairobi – a bustling city that situates among the great African nature and wildlife. Nairobi is a great start for both experienced travelers and beginners in the region as there is a wide range of activities you can do around from hiking, safari, to some casual walks along the streets and markets. Our team will be spending the first two days adjusting ourselves to the rhythm of East Africa. We will pay a visit to the David Sheldrick elephant orphanage, one of Africa’s oldest charities and wildlife conservation organizations, to learn about the situation of wildlife habitats and how the locals and international volunteers have been working to protect and support the ecosystem and threatened species here.

Elephant orphanage at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK

Right after we finish our project in Arusha, the team will head out for the once-in-a-lifetime safari adventure! Of course, you cannot visit and volunteer in Tanzania without embarking on a big game safari ride in the famous Serengeti National Park where you get to spot the BIG 5 – the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo. It is safe to say that Serengeti is one of the seven natural wonders of Africa as this is where the second largest terrestrial mammal migration in the world takes place. With its diverse ecosystem, there are 70 mammals and more than 500 bird species you can spot here. In the evening, we will be sleeping in tents amidst the wildlife that evening, keep your eyes peeled for those hyenas who love to enter the camp.

Game drive in Serengeti National Park

NGORONGORO CRATER

The Ngorongoro crater is a large volcanic conservation area that was formed from a volcano eruption 2.5 million years ago. There are around 40,000 people habituating in the area with other 30,000 amazing wildlife from elephants, cheetahs, impalas, to leopards. This is also where you can spot the endangered black rhino, finger crossed! The crater is an incredible prehistoric area where archeologists have found an impressive amount of fossils dating back even before human species existed. Once again, we will spend the night near the crater rim so you can soak up the atmosphere of pure African nature under the starry night.

A family of elephant in the Ngorongoro Crater

ZANZIBAR

Here comes the most rewarding moment after volunteering in Tanzania. It’s time to relax and enjoy the paradise off the coast of East Africa – Zanzibar. It’s an archipelago of Tanzania where you can enjoy the white sand beach and warm turquoise sea. We will do a city tour around Stone Town, a UNESCO historic trade hub with Islamic and Swahili influences, then hop on a transport North to Nungwi for a couple days off. Wake up to the sound of the waves crashing, Maasai warriors wondering the village of Nungwi on their days off, local villagers selling trinkets at every corner. You can explore the north of Zanzibar, or sit by the pool and read a book. Be ready to meet for the late afternoon Dhow cruise though, we have a local band joining us on our sunset Dhow boat trip. Grab a drink and let’s watch the sunset over Africa.

Sunset cruise on a Dhow boat in Zanzibar

The Mudita will be volunteering Tanzania again this year in July and yes, you will get a chance to check out Kenya as well. APPLY HERE to secure your spot and become a part of our East Africa explorer team – let’s gooooooo!